Let’s be honest: no one truly loves knee-high socks. They’re uncomfortable, leave marks on the skin, and frankly, they’re unattractive. Especially the nude ones in that yellowish beige color. They remind us of something outdated, like an elderly lady’s wardrobe. Think of Queen Elizabeth on a bad day at Balmoral or Nanny McPhee, but even more neglected. It’s definitely not the look anyone wants to see in the mirror. But recently, that has changed. Designers and brands are now pushing the idea that even those old nylon knee-highs, the ones we used to hide under boots and pants, can be stylish. They’re trying to convince us they have their own beauty and coolness.
Fashion has the power to change how we see beauty or coolness. Think about it. When a designer adds something we once thought was ugly or uncomfortable to their collection, they can make us change our minds. Suddenly, we see that item in a new way. A thought pops up: maybe it wasn’t that bad after all. In fact, it might even look interesting or beautiful just because it’s trendy. This happened with Birkenstocks, low-rise skinny jeans, Capri pants, white socks with sandals, flip-flops with heels, and velour tracksuits. Many brands get credit—or blame—for this shift, but Prada is the true master of turning unpleasant pieces into style statements.
No one has expressed this idea better than Miuccia Prada, who made “Ugly Chic” one of her trademarks. Thanks to her, ugliness has become attractive, and embracing the unconventional or embarrassing is now common. In fact, the “Cringe Chic” aesthetic has quietly taken over our wardrobes. For Prada, ugliness is a tool for self-expression and social commentary. But for most of us, it’s simply a trend we follow. So, if by 2024, our drawers are filled with sheer nylon knee-highs, especially in nude shades, we can blame Ms. Miuccia. She featured this style in many of her collections—remember SS19?
The sheer nylon sock, reaching just below the knee and held by an elastic band, has become the star of the season. This once unsexy item is making a comeback, almost mocking us from the catwalks. For FW24, designers like Acne Studios, Shiatzy Chen, Weinsanto, Casablanca, and Cecilie Bahnsen showcased them in classic black, white, and nude versions. Emilia Wickstead paired them with oversized sweaters, embroidered skirts with 3D flowers, and loafers. Tommy Hilfiger gave them a preppy twist with mini skirts, polo shirts, turtlenecks, and blazers. Even in the SS25 collections, these ugly socks remain a focal point. They’ve been reworked in silk, lace, and decorated with floral appliqués, net textures, embroidery, and bold colors. They channel the coquette aesthetic at Yuhan Wang, Vivetta, and Simone Rocha. They take on a sporty vibe at Melitta Baumeister and a playful touch at Natasha Zinko. At Kent & Curwen, they return to the preppy style.
Bella Hadid loves knee-highs. She pairs them with capri pants, skirt suits, shorts, or mini skirts, often with sneakers or loafers. Kristen Stewart has made them sexy, wearing them like thigh-highs. She boldly combines them with sky-high pumps, shorts, and a sports t-shirt or a maxi skirt with a jewel top. The key difference is all in the attitude. During the press tour for Joker: Folie à Deux, Lady Gaga rocked knee-high lace socks to complement outfits inspired by Courtney Love’s grunge era. Julia Fox took it even further, embracing the granny look with nude compression knee-highs.
Even though we hoped to never see them again, we must surrender to fashion. Now, we have two choices: ignore them and criticize those who wear them, or set aside our preconceptions and make them part of our everyday outfits. In 2024, knee-highs are meant to be seen, not hidden under clothes or shoes. The easiest combo is pairing them with a pleated skirt, shirt, V-neck sweater, blazer, and penny loafers for a full preppy style. But that’s not the only option. Knee-highs are versatile and can be styled with more refined, romantic looks, like with ballet flats or slingbacks. The key is to choose the right model, the one that makes you feel comfortable.